Many states picked diploma pathways over high school exit exams. Did students benefit?
Diploma pathways appear to have helped more students who aren’t college-bound to graduate, but they also have created new issues and replicated some old ones
Just how effective are the Common Core State Standards?
With all the hype about the Common Core State Standards, it's easy to forget that some states have decided not to adopt the standards--plus, some adopting states are…
August: Four education grants you don’t want to miss
School funding difficulties show no sign of abating, and school budgets are stretched to the limit.
Admins predict changes in rigor, instruction under Common Core
A new report from the Center on Education Policy (CEP) finds that states are actively working to implement the Common Core State Standards through planning, professional development, and…
Computer models help students examine biological structures
Many scientists agree that the best way to learn the anatomy of any species is to utilize donor bodies. However, thousands of junior high, high school and college…
10 places to find great BYOD lesson plans
There’s a growing concern amongst schools and educators that though "bring your own device" (BYOD) and mobile learning initiatives are in place, teachers and school leaders still have…
Social media’s impact in schools
When it comes to social media in schools, most students don't hesitate to collaborate with one another. But some schools and districts still worry about safety and responsible…
School web filtering needs extreme makeover
During a recent symposium on the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), experts agreed that though the law backed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has good intentions, school…
Our readers’ top 40 ed-tech services for 2013-14
Which ed-tech products and services do our readers like best? Here are their top 40 choices for the 2013-14 school year. This past spring, we asked readers to…
How are classrooms implementing mobile technology?
Advocates of mobile technology in the classroom say that devices such as tablets and smart phones boost student engagement and offer a way to personalize learning for each…
How technology has changed our idea of ‘knowledge,’ and what this means for schools
While technology hasn’t transformed education to this point, it definitely has transformed learning, researcher David Weinberger argues—and this shift has important implications for educators.
Does research support flipped learning?
Though quantitative and rigorous qualitative data on flipped learning is limited, a recent literature review based on teacher reports, course completion rates, and supported methodology research indicates that…
13 inexpensive ed-tech tools for writing
Being able to write clearly is an essential skill for all students. With these simple online writing tools and apps, students get to practice writing informally in settings…
What’s important in a digital device initiative?
In recent years, many ed-tech advocacy efforts have morphed from emphasizing the need for schools to have ed-tech tools and devices to figuring out exactly which device, or…
Zhao: U.S. schools focusing on the wrong skills
What is the purpose of our education system? If it’s to produce skilled employees, then we’re on the right path with Common Core standards and assessments, says education…
How to have more meaningful iPad professional development
Often, the substantial investments schools make in purchasing iPads are woefully out of balance with the minimal investments they make in preparing teachers to use these new tools…
Six districts get creative to find the principals of their dreams
At a time when the job of principal has become more demanding and less attractive to some aspiring leaders, a new report details how six urban districts are…
FCC to revisit eRate
The Federal Communications Commission voted on July 19 to open a new rulemaking process aimed at updating and enhancing the federal e-Rate program, which currently provides $2.3 billion…
Tablet solutions abound at 2013 ISTE conference
Tablet-based mobile learning was a big area of focus during the 2013 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference in San Antonio in late June, with Microsoft…
4 reasons why the Common Core Standards are losing popularity
In what could be compared to, well, many education reform initiatives over the years—educational technology included—a once-widely, and quickly, accepted initiative is dividing the education community; begging the…
Important steps in a mobile learning initiative
Having a clear vision when contemplating a school or district mobile learning program, as well as being flexible when building that program, are two essential steps if school…
Report: High school diplomas don’t support Common Core
According to a recent report, many states have yet to practice a critical 21st Century skill: Common sense. The report reveals that although most states have adopted the…
Teacher recruitment tool will factor in controversial ratings
In an incendiary move guaranteed to divide the education community, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) has partnered with a web-based teacher hiring system that will factor…
Twenty new curriculum software products for schools
At the 2013 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference in San Antonio last month, a number of ed-tech companies introduced new curriculum software products, or enhancements…
July: Five education grants you don’t want to miss
School funding difficulties show no sign of abating, and school budgets are stretched to the limit. Many educators and administrators rely on school grants to fund important projects…
Six ed-tech tips for district CIOs
Technology is essential for today’s students to succeed in a mobile world—few, if any, would argue that. But how can school administrators, and district CIOs in particular, adapt…
New assistive technology is changing education for blind students
Assistive technology has come a long way in the last decade, but there are still many obstacles students face in a society that’s currently saturated with science, technology,…
Leveraging emerging technologies to create virtual libraries
Though still a relatively new concept, flipped learning is making an impact in classrooms across the country--and now, forward-thinking librarians are examining whether flipped learning and emerging technologies…
Twenty intriguing school AV products
Here are 20 intriguing school AV products that we saw at InfoComm and the ISTE conference last month—including a portable audio system that can facilitate small-group instruction and…
Eight ways kindergarten holds the key to 21st-century instruction
Several of the "revolutionary" changes we've been calling for in our schools have actually been around for quite a while—just talk a stroll down to any kindergarten class.
How to improve the eRate
As the FCC mulls changes to the nation’s school wiring program, here’s a common-sense vision for what we’d like to see.
A key priority for ed-tech leaders: Meeting Common Core needs
In a recent survey, 83 percent of ed-tech leaders said preparing for Common Core assessments is among their top three priorities—and 62 percent fear they won’t have enough…
Today’s schools lack creative teaching and learning, study says
A new survey reveals that creative teaching and innovative learning are stifled by an over-reliance on testing and assessment, forcing teachers to stay inside a restrictive curriculum that…
Report: BYOD has the potential to expand greatly in five years
Results from a new survey presented during ISTE 2013 indicate that U.S. schools and universities still strive to expand their technology use, and postsecondary insitutions often lead the…
Harnessing the power of tablets and apps for young students
A glance around today’s ed-tech landscape reveals no shortage of tablets, tablet initiatives, and tablet apps—but most of these tools are used with older students. During a crowded…
ISTE: DOE talks 6 education technology changes, new initiatives
In yet another packed ISTE 2013 highlighted session, Richard Culatta, acting director at the Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education, discussed the challenges schools…
New resource helps educators teach with digital apps
The sheer volume of new learning apps being created every day poses a key challenge for educators looking to teach with mobile devices, as many teachers say they…
ISTE keynote: Gaming has huge educational potential
